The Star Online, Saturday December 3, 2011 

Kajang cleans up after floods

KAJANG: Traders embarked on a major clean-up Saturday following the flash floods that hit the town centre following a downpour on Friday.

They said the floods caught them and residents by surprise and many were unable to save their belongings and goods.

A check by Bernama showed that only several telecommunication and eateries were open.

A goldsmith who introduced himself as Chau, 52, said flood waters rose in just a matter of minutes, catching them off-guard.

"I've been conducting business here since 17 years ago and although there had been rain and floods in the past, we never expected that the flood could be this bad," he said, estimating his losses to reach up to RM40,000.

A worker at a convenience store, Siti Hamira, 21, said the floods damaged a large amount of new stocks as well as those on display.

"There was simply no time to save them," she said.

A worker at a telecommunications shop said the clean-up would be carried out in stages.

"Although we are still cleaning up the shop, we open it for business today (Saturday) because we don't want to suffer further losses," he said.

Kajang Municipal Council workers were also busy cleaning up the road and towing stalled vehicles and motorcycles.

Kajang assemblyman Lee Kim Sin said flood mitigation projects were implemented in 2008, which included widening Sungai Jelok and channelling water to Sungai Langat as well as building flood retaining walls measuring 1.5-metre high.

However, the rainfall was too high, causing the water at Sungai Jelok and Sungai Langat to overflow, he said. - Bernama